The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson – Swanston Edition. Volume 21

Оглавление

Robert Louis Stevenson. The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson – Swanston Edition. Volume 21

THE STORY OF A LIE

CHAPTER I. INTRODUCES THE ADMIRAL

CHAPTER II. A LETTER TO THE PAPERS

CHAPTER III. IN THE ADMIRAL’S NAME

CHAPTER IV. ESTHER ON THE FILIAL RELATION

CHAPTER V. THE PRODIGAL FATHER MAKES HIS DÉBUT AT HOME

CHAPTER VI. THE PRODIGAL FATHER GOES ON FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH

CHAPTER VII. THE ELOPEMENT

CHAPTER VIII. BATTLE ROYAL

CHAPTER IX. IN WHICH THE LIBERAL EDITOR APPEARS AS “DEUS EX MACHIN”

THE MERRY MEN

CHAPTER I. EILEAN AROS

CHAPTER II. WHAT THE WRECK HAD BROUGHT TO AROS

CHAPTER III. LAND AND SEA IN SANDAG BAY

CHAPTER IV. THE GALE

CHAPTER V. A MAN OUT OF THE SEA

OLALLA

HEATHERCAT

CHAPTER I. TRAQUAIRS OF MONTROYMONT

CHAPTER II. FRANCIE

CHAPTER III. THE HILL-END OF DRUMLOWE

THE GREAT NORTH ROAD

CHAPTER I. NANCE AT THE “GREEN DRAGON”

CHAPTER II. IN WHICH MR. ARCHER IS INSTALLED

CHAPTER III. JONATHAN HOLDAWAY

CHAPTER IV. MINGLING THREADS

CHAPTER V. LIFE IN THE CASTLE

CHAPTER VI. THE BAD HALF-CROWN

CHAPTER VII. THE BLEACHING-GREEN

CHAPTER VIII. THE MAIL GUARD

THE YOUNG CHEVALIER

PROLOGUE. THE WINE-SELLER’S WIFE

CHAPTER I. THE PRINCE

FABLES

I. THE PERSONS OF THE TALE

II. THE SINKING SHIP

III. THE TWO MATCHES

IV. THE SICK MAN AND THE FIREMAN

V. THE DEVIL AND THE INNKEEPER

VI. THE PENITENT

VII. THE YELLOW PAINT

VIII. THE HOUSE OF ELD

IX. THE FOUR REFORMERS

X. THE MAN AND HIS FRIEND

XI. THE READER

XII. THE CITIZEN AND THE TRAVELLER

XIII. THE DISTINGUISHED STRANGER

XIV. THE CART-HORSES AND THE SADDLE-HORSE

XV. THE TADPOLE AND THE FROG

XVI. SOMETHING IN IT

XVII. FAITH, HALF-FAITH, AND NO FAITH AT ALL

XVIII. THE TOUCHSTONE

XIX. THE POOR THING

XX. THE SONG OF THE MORROW

Отрывок из книги

One of these was Mr. Peter Van Tromp, an English-speaking, two-legged animal of the international genus, and by profession of general and more than equivocal utility. Years before he had been a painter of some standing in a colony, and portraits signed “Van Tromp” had celebrated the greatness of colonial governors and judges. In those days he had been married, and driven his wife and infant daughter in a pony trap. What were the steps of his declension? No one exactly knew. Here he was at least, and had been, any time these past ten years, a sort of dismal parasite upon the foreigner in Paris.

It would be hazardous to specify his exact industry. Coarsely followed, it would have merited a name grown somewhat unfamiliar to our ears. Followed as he followed it, with a skilful reticence, in a kind of social chiaroscuro, it was still possible for the polite to call him a professional painter. His lair was in the Grand Hotel and the gaudiest cafés. There he might be seen jotting off a sketch with an air of some inspiration; and he was always affable, and one of the easiest of men to fall in talk withal. A conversation usually ripened into a peculiar sort of intimacy, and it was extraordinary how many little services Van Tromp contrived to render in the course of six-and-thirty hours. He occupied a position between a friend and a courier, which made him worse than embarrassing to repay. But those whom he obliged could always buy one of his villainous little pictures, or, where the favours had been prolonged and more than usually delicate, might order and pay for a large canvas, with perfect certainty that they would hear no more of the transaction.

.....

“I ask you if he can paint. I will not be put off. Can he paint?” she repeated.

“Does he even like it?”

.....